Page 22 - Simplifying T'ai Chi Rev3 2017

14 Simplifying T'ai Chi

allowing it to pass around us, until that is, a weakness is spotted, and we deliver a
devastating well-metered counter-attack response.

Examples of Proven Health Benefits

There are many proven studies that now positively show the benefits a T'ai Chi
exercise program can bring, many of which have modified forms associated with
them.

Health benefits not only apply to a lifetime's practice, but reflect on any age that
T'ai Chi is started.
You're never too old to start to practise T'ai Chi for health reasons. Find a teacher
who is sympathetic to the frailty of age and medical conditions and start to benefit.
Any effort you put in will be rewarded tenfold.

Here are some examples of how T'ai Chi can be used to assist in the health
management of common chronic ailments.

Arthritis

The gentle relaxed movement of T'ai Chi practised with no tension and loose open
joints, encourages overall blood flow and also the movement of synovial fluid,
lubricating the painful joints, reducing pain a little which in turn encourages further
movement.
There have been several clinical studies carried out on using T'ai Chi to help
arthritis. Using Dr Paul Lam's modified Sun Form, a randomised study conducted
by a collaboration of two universities and a hospital and published in 2003, reported
that the condition showed an improvement in movement and pain relief by 29-35%
within three months.
In this group of older women with Osteoarthritis, the arthritic symptoms, balance,
and physical functioning was greatly improved. Patients had 35% less pain, 29%
less stiffness, 29% more ability to perform daily tasks (such as climbing stairs), as
well as improved abdominal muscles and better balance.
This study is typical of many other testimonials.

Back Pain

Gentle modified T’ai Chi programs for health such as the one used for Arthritis, can
be practised seated or standing. In both of these positions, the basic corrected
posture corrects one of the common causes of back pain.

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